I came upon this thought while watching a Ken Buchanan highlight. How long could he have reigned if not for Duran? Could he have topped a series with Esteban de Jesus? How would he handle Edwin Viruet, and would he be better equipped to battle Guts Ishimatsu? How high would he rise up into the all-time Lightweight rankings? He had a style to support longevity, and he might have remained on the straight and narrow if he still had a championship to safeguard. I like Buchanan in a match with De Jesus to eek out a hard-fought UD, but with no shred of certainty. Roberto Duran had a very long career that touched many. Who gets derailed, re-railed or simply put on a different track because of his absence?
Some things to consider here. DeJesus was over six years younger than Buchanan. Ken had one match just after turning 30 in 1975, then took a four year hiatus. Esteban was done at 28, when Mamby finished him in 1980. I believe Buchanan would have taken an initial match between the two in the early 1970s. By the mid 1970s, the torch would be passed. While I think Buchanan was greater, DeJesus would have been more likely to win a unification if they became co-regents when DeJesus upended Ishimatsu. What if Ken never fights DeJesus to unify, or Esteban opts to compete exclusively at 140? Buchanan-Watt becomes the definitive Scottish rivalry of the 1970s. Jim ultimately wins the final match of their series, but who takes the majority of bouts remains a question mark. Watt was a grueling obstacle for any opponent, and Ken could afford no lapses in training against such a younger domestic challenger. The first two blemishes on SRL's record aside from Montreal were the draw to Hearns and loss to Norris. Ray's premature initial retirement after Finch at 25 already raises questions about what might have been. Take away Duran, and there's a measure of bewilderment. However, he'd still be "fortunate" in having the younger Hearns and Benitez as defining rivals. Whether Tommy could extend a second bout into a trilogy might depend on if the championship distance remains in place. For Ray, a longer limit is clearly to his advantage, but 154 was Tommy's best weight. As it actually happened, maybe Ray should have unified against Benitez at 154 after knocking off Kalule, and before going after Hagler. I'm not convinced Wilfred would have won a second match with SRL. However, it would have been a tremendous feather in Ray's cap to unify at 147 and 154 prior to taking on the only other undisputed champion at 160. With no Duran in the picture to draw the spotlight, perhaps he does.
DeJesus beats Buchanan in a series, reigns as champion (with wins over Lampkin, Ishimatsu and Viruet) until his wild lifestyle gets to him by the late 70's.
Me and Duranimal get on fine! Its just really offensive banter between us, he probably thinks im abit of an idiot as i do him, but he's like my offensive pub regular drunken uncle and im his smartmouthed cocky **** nephew, ive never sensed any malice.
I meant...the answer to the thread. Remove Duran from history and who does it effect? Duranimal...it'd effect his alias for start.
atsch oh yeah, no doubt. He'd still be married if it wan't for Duran. Think, the music video to Stan by Eminem. Ive got a room full of your posters and your pictures, Duran. I liked that **** you did to Barkley too, that **** was bad. Anyways i hope you get this Duran, hit me back, just to chat, truely yours, your biggest fan, this is Duran..nimal Duran: ..and whats that **** about were meant to be together? That kinda **** makes me not want us to meet each other
